Monday, July 25, 2011

5 gadgets you need to own now

A list of must-have gizmos you need to stay in touch, tune and time

You can get a gadget for practically everything out there. From an HD POV camera and an arcade game table, to a camera that's tough enough to withstand 220 pounds of pressure. But do you really need any of those? Not for day-to-day life, for sure. But here are five must-haves.

The Desktop
Many would advocate that laptops are the way to go. But for a real man? We think not. Size does matter. Why confine Photoshop to a 13-inch screen, when you can edit your photos on the glorious 27-inch screen of the iMac, along with Apple's Magic Trackpad, which is 80 percent larger than the one found on a MacBook. Or you could opt for the quad-core HP Touchsmart 610, where your entire screen is one big 23-inch, high-def trackpad.
GQ Picks: The 27" iMac

The Tablet
Whichever one you choose, you should know that a good tablet can keep you entertained no matter where you are. Perhaps it's too early for them to replace newspapers in the john, but the tablet (iPad 2, Xoom, PlayBook, take your pick) is waiting to revolutionise the way you read, watch and even work.
GQ Picks: The iPad 2 (for now)

The Smartphone
It might seem strange to you, dear Wi-Fi enabled reader, but some men don't own smartphones. It's hardly a new phenomenon, but the battle lines are getting clearer, and those not in possession have been found lacking in combat. These days, being caught without a Wi-Fi and 3G enabled, dual-core packing, multitasking capable device is like being a fisherman without a boat; you can do your job, but the possibilities are kinda limited.
GQ Picks: Motorola Atrix (One of its accessories turns it into a netbook!)

The Console
Every man needs a place where he can even the score. Enter: the PS3. We'll take our revenge on the boss in the comfort of our homes, while blowing away enemy forces in the exclusive to PS3 title: Killzone 3. Or don Superman's cape and kick some superhero ass in the MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, for n00bs) DC Universe Online.
GQ Picks: You need to ask?

The LED TV
Twenty-one inches just don't cut it anymore. Neither does a TV that doesn't look magnificent even when switched off, or offer full HD viewing when on. LCD TVs are old, and Plasma TVs are practically ancient. LED is definitely the way to go for a true connoisseur of the visual arts. Plus, they're undeniably cool. To fully appreciate these high-priced, high-def beauties, pair them with a Blu-ray player (aka, your PS3), or an HD DTH box, and you'll literally make a long-lasting impression on your couch.
Our Pick: Samsung's UA55C8000XR (All three Ds: LED, HD and 3D)